The entire AUCTUS portfolio is energy self-sufficient!
In addition to investing in sustainable companies, we have been investing private money in the production of renewable energy for 10 years. Our systems generate hundreds of millions of kWh of solar power every year and therefore a multiple of the electricity consumption of the entire AUCTUS company portfolio.
We invest primarily in components and the installation and operation of renewable energy systems in the following areas:
How we support
AUCTUS AS A SPARRING PARTNER
Our investment motivation is to put companies on a solid growth path that is as stable and sustainable as possible. In doing so, we support our portfolio companies in meeting the requirements and obligations of a sustainable future in the long term as well as remaining competitive. This is the only way we can differentiate ourselves in the market and discover further growth potential.
“As a financial investor and partner, we don’t just invest in sustainable business models. Rather, we support our companies in taking a constructive approach to ESG. Be it in environmentally relevant topics such as resource-saving production, employee focus by increasing employer attractiveness or the development of modern management concepts. Innovation rather than stagnation is the key to success here.”
Dr. Daniel Meuthen, Partner at AUCTUS
Creating added value for the future
Sustainability in our portfolio
Since its foundation in 2001, AUCTUS has invested in and managed its portfolio companies with a sustainable approach and with the clear guiding principle that long-term growth and sustainable calibration are mutually dependent. Our focus here is on the three basic pillars of international ESG regulations, which consist of ecological awareness, social orientation and sound corporate governance.
➔ SECTOR: Renewable energies
➔ FIELD: Photovoltaics
➔ TRANSAKTIONSTYP: Owner Buy-Out; Buy & Build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
According to the Federal Environment Agency, around 30 to 40 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to the energy industry (combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat). Increasing the amount of renewable energies is a central component of the German government’s sustainability goals.
Goal: 80% of the energy supply is to be generated from renewable sources. As photovoltaics is the most important energy source, a significant expansion of PV systems is necessary to achieve the target (target: 215 GW PV capacity by 2030).
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
- EKD is making a significant contribution to achieving the German government’s PV expansion targets by planning and installing >10,000 intelligently controlled photovoltaic systems with energy storage.
- PV systems planned and installed by EKD have already led to the avoidance of > 200k tons of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in the company’s short history. Over the lifetime of the systems (> 30 years) and with the addition of new PV systems every year, these savings will increase many times more.
- Particularly noteworthy is the intelligent technological control of the EKD PV systems, which leads to significantly greater sustainability compared to conventional PV systems.
- The proprietary EKD Home Energy Management System (HEMS) controls the energy flows in single-family homes according to consumption patterns and the availability of solar energy. This results in considerable energy savings and conserves resources.
- Since its foundation in 2018, the EKD Group has already grown to > 400 of its own employees and has also created a significant number of jobs in the extended environment.
Further information on EKD: https://www.ekd-solar.de/
EKD – More energy, more self-sufficiency, more security
➔ SECTOR: Industry
➔ INDUSTRY: Wood processing
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Buy-out, succession
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
With around 40% of CO2 emissions, real estate is the largest source of emissions worldwide, with building materials and construction accounting for a third of these emissions. Wood is the only essential building material that is renewable and has a good energy balance. Wood therefore offers a significant contribution to sustainable construction.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
- The Häussermann Group is 100% committed to the circular economy:
- Use of a sustainable raw material
- Procurement from certified sources
- Optimized processing with avoidance of waste (recycling of sawdust in products and for in-house energy generation instead of gas)
- Recyclability of products at the end of their life cycle
- As a certified PEFC member, we are part of the world’s largest institution for ensuring sustainable forest management
- With FSC® certification, we stand for responsible and ecological forest management
- Our products guarantee that the colors and color systems used are harmless to health
- We have been relying on photovoltaics for many years, converting the natural power of the sun into energy
- Sustainability is integrated into our daily work processes, from occupational health and safety to energy management
Further information about häussermann: www.haeussermann.de/unternehmen/nachhaltigkeit/
Wood finished by professionals – Hand in hand with ecology and responsibility
➔ SECTOR: Industry
➔ FIELD: Mechanical and plant engineering
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Carve-Out, Buy-Out
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
BMA, a German engineering company, has been producing machinery and equipment for the sugar industry worldwide for over 170 years.
Sugar production is a complex, very energy-intensive process, so producers are called upon to improve energy efficiency in the interests of cost efficiency and sustainability.
Numerous sugar manufacturers have committed to the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement and are planning to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by around 50% by 2030 and to be CO2-neutral by 2050.
As a technology leader, BMA supports the sugar industry in developing and realizing these goals by understanding and anticipating customers’ actual needs.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
- Machines and systems for sugar production from cane and beet with maximum energy efficiency:
- Sucrose extraction
- Falling film evaporation
- Crystallization
- Centrifugation
- Sugar drying and cooling
- BMA products offer ideal technical and economic conditions for the complete electrification of sugar production
- Resource-efficient retrofit of centrifuges and extraction plant enables service life to be doubled to over 50 years with state-of-the-art drive and automation technology
- Development and implementation of energy-efficient overall solutions for the sugar industry, from feasibility studies to planning, implementation, operator training and after-sales service
- EPCM projects incl. Cost, time and performance guarantee.
Further information on BMA: https://www.bma-worldwide.com/
BMA – passion for progress.
➔ SECTOR: Construction
➔ FIELD: Technical building equipment (TGA)
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Owner buy-out, succession, buy-and-build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
The real estate sector accounts for around 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. By using state-of-the-art building technology, Builtech is helping to reduce these emissions in the long term. Installed PV systems and heat pumps reduce the use of fossil fuels and modern heating, cooling and ventilation systems reduce consumption in the long term. With over 1,500 employees, Builtech contributes to the implementation of the energy transition in the building sector every day.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
- Builtech invests in the training of its own employees with additional training programs and actively integrates refugees into working life
- Those who are drawn further into the world can apply as ambassadors of an intercultural world for development aid programs in emerging countries.
- In April 2024, the first female employee will travel to Tanzania for a few weeks to help build a new maternity ward on site.
- Current examples of Builtech’s activities: www.builtech.de/magazin/
More information about Builtech on instagram or the website: www.builtech.de
We bring future into Craft – and the Craft into the future. #betterbuildings
➔ SECTOR: Construction
➔ FIELD: Technical building equipment (TGA)
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Buy-Out, Buy-and-Build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
75% of CO2 emissions in the building sector are historically attributable to the operation of real estate. Modern buildings can now be operated completely emission-free. The basis for energy-efficient implementation is integrated planning of the various trades.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
The Orara Group has developed from an initial technical planner into an integrated overall planner. Architecture, building envelope, technical building services and project management are the most important disciplines here.
Orara’s main customers are the public sector and industry. The integrated planning approach aims to use the latest technologies to design energy-efficient buildings and create pleasant working atmospheres: modern lighting concepts and efficient heating and climate control concepts have a significant impact on people’s health. At the same time, they optimize the energy requirements so that the property can be operated with as few resources as possible.
Further information about Orara: https://www.orara.de/
CREATE THE FUTURE – masterminds. Enabler. This is us. #orara
➔ SECTOR: Construction
➔ FIELD: Civil engineering
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Buy-Out, Buy-and-Build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
The sustainability goals of the Federal Republic of Germany are essentially based on three pillars:
- Increasing the share of alternative energies
- Reduction of loss in the distribution of resources
- Strengthening rail as part of electromobility
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Terras has dedicated itself to achieving these goals with its acquisition and growth strategy.
- The wind energy generated in the north is transported to the south via overhead lines. The foundations required for this are poured by Terras.
- Bridge foundations and embankment reinforcements are being built to renew and extend the railroad network.
- Modern sewer systems and rainwater collection basins under new residential areas serve the purpose of collecting water and distributing it without loss.
- Recycling centers make a valuable contribution to sustainable construction practices – construction and demolition waste finds its way back into the construction industry
- And last but not least, underground electricity grids are being renewed and expanded in order to drive forward the electrification of conurbations, also due to the rise in electromobility.
Further information about Terras: www.terras-tiefbau.group
Building Connections – #weareterras
➔ SECTOR: Construction
➔ FIELD: Facade construction
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Buy-Out, Buy-and-Build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
70% of the real estate portfolio in Germany is more than 50 years old. In addition to the technical building services (Builtech), the building envelope plays a decisive role in energy efficiency upgrades. A modern façade can save up to 70% of energy consumption.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Rossmanith specializes in the planning, production and installation of timber and glass curtain walls for both existing and new buildings. Large company administrations, the public sector and hospitals in particular are among our customers.
- When renovating large buildings, the technology and building envelope are usually renewed.
- The concrete shell remains in place.
- “Renovating existing buildings” actively helps to reduce CO2 emissions in the building sector, as concrete is largely responsible for the CO2 emissions of a building during its construction phase. The construction of a building alone accounts for 25% of CO2 emissions in the building sector.
- Rossmanith has built residential buildings for employees on its own premises to give them the opportunity to quickly settle in Heidelberg and reunite with their families as soon as possible.
Further information about Rossmanith: https://www.rossmanith-hd.de/
Integrated façade builder for the entire building envelope.
➔ SECTOR: Industry
➔ FIELD: Laminators and laminating lines
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Buy-out
➔ COUNTRY: Germany, China & Hungary
Challenges of the future
The mechanical and plant engineering industry, in which Bürkle operates, is confronted with several challenges, particularly with regard to the sustainability and energy efficiency of production processes. A key challenge is to minimize energy consumption over the entire life cycle of the systems while maximizing the efficiency of the production processes. At the same time, complex supply chains must be maintained and monitored with regard to environmental protection and social standards.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Bürkle is setting new standards in the mechanical and plant engineering industry with its sustainable and energy-efficient technologies and supplies crucial parts of the production facilities for the decarbonization of the economy.
- Laminators for solar panels: Bürkle produces laminators specifically for the manufacture of solar panels, which play a key role in the expansion of renewable energy sources. Bürkle is a leader in the field of particularly energy-efficient systems, reducing energy consumption in key production steps by up to 60% compared to conventional methods. Bürkle is investing in the development of systems for the future of renewable energies, including technologies for the lamination of curved PV panels for integration into electric vehicles (Vehicle Integrated PV). and in manufacturing technologies for panels that can be integrated into buildings (Building Integrated PV).
- Laminators for technical glass: Processes and machines developed by Bürkle are also used in the glass industry to reduce production costs and minimize environmental impact. The lamination of glass also plays a decisive role in improving the energy efficiency of buildings and façades.
- Production of insulation systems: Bürkle also manufactures highly efficient insulation systems to support the energy renovation of buildings. The ambitious targets for increasing energy efficiency in the building sector can only be achieved with the materials produced on these systems.
- Localization of the value chain: Bürkle is working on localizing its value chains to a greater extent. This helps to minimize the ecological footprint and shorten transport routes.
- Reduction of energy consumption: Bürkle has implemented a comprehensive programme to reduce energy consumption at its plant and headquarters in Freudenstadt, which aims to minimize the ecological footprint and use energy and space as efficiently as possible.
Further information about Bürkle: https://www.burkle.tech/int-en/applications/laminators
Bürkle – Technology for a greener future.
➔ SECTOR: Consumer
➔ FIELD: System catering
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Owner Buy-Out, Buy-and-Build
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in all areas of gastronomy. In particular, the demand from guests for more regional and seasonal ingredients and meat substitutes is growing due to increasing environmental awareness. According to a study by Mintel, 43% of consumers in Germany in 2023 stated that they had reduced their meat consumption in the last year.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
- Gustoso focuses on digitalization and more efficient process design. For example, the Group uses digital, AI-based tools to support the efficient scheduling of employees and correct quantity planning in purchasing, thereby reducing waste.
- With the help of seasonal menus, regional purchasing and meat substitutes, Gustoso supports the increasing environmental awareness of guests in almost all of the Group’s concepts.
- Food waste is also reduced and customer loyalty and employee satisfaction strengthened at the same time through the continuous development of employee training.
- Increased digitalization, e.g. through the use of self-order terminals and digital menus, helps to reduce printed material such as printed menus
Gustoso views sustainability as a holistic issue in all areas of the Group.
➔ SECTOR: Business Services
➔ FIELD: Transformation consulting
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Owner Buy-Out, Buy-and-Build, Growth
➔ COUNTRY: Europe, India
Challenges of the future
Companies and public institutions face a variety of challenges in defining and implementing their sustainability initiatives:
- ESG strategyCompatibility of ESG aspects with the business strategy has so far been regarded as a major challenge by a large number of companies. However, holistically addressing all ESG components (environmental, social and governance) beyond the regulatory minimum is the basis for significant competitive advantages.
- Organizational ChangeIn addition to a clear commitment from top management, a firm anchoring of the ESG strategy in the corporate culture and the entire organization is crucial for a sustainable ESG value contribution
- TransparencyUntil now, there has often been a lack of sufficient access to internal data for tracking and managing ESG initiatives. This not only prevents the seamless integration of ESG into corporate governance, but also makes it more difficult to comply with regulatory requirements (e.g. reporting obligations in accordance with SFDR/CSRD)
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
At Highberg, sustainability is seen as a long-term goal for customers but also for our own organization and is implemented through active measures:
- Helping organizations integrate sustainability into operations, leverage technology to optimize performance, and establish effective governance for ongoing sustainability practices and compliance.
- Minimizing the impact of our own business model on the environment by minimizing and offsetting the remaining CO2 effect of travel.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion and a company policy that understands that satisfied colleagues contribute to better results.
- Highberg aims to give something back to society and helps a large number of social organizations pro bono with their respective challenges: Increasing performance, optimizing processes, working better together or developing leadership skills.
Highberg is committed to continuous improvement and has demonstrated this since 2023 with its certification as a B Corporation.
Highberg – Reinventing organizations
➔ SECTOR: IT
➔ INDUSTRY: Telematics
➔ TRANSACTION TYPE: Growth
➔ COUNTRY: Germany
Challenges of the future
Environmental aspects: A key challenge for blueworld’s customers is the efficient use of resources and the avoidance and recycling of waste.
Social aspects: The shortage of skilled workers poses a significant challenge. Solutions are needed that make it possible to deploy less qualified employees to carry out high-quality tasks.
Governance: The classification of waste disposal as a critical infrastructure has increased the requirements for governance measures.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
The TraceMate product from blueworld optimizes route planning for waste disposal, street cleaning and winter service vehicles. This helps to minimize the use of resources and reduce CO2 emissions. TraceMate records the exact quantities of waste per tonne and end customer, which makes it possible to set targeted economic incentives for waste avoidance and recycling. In addition, the recording of road conditions and the amount of road salt used in winter road maintenance allows the use of gritting material to be minimized, which further contributes to sustainability.
The function of recording reference tours by experienced personnel and making them replayable for inexperienced personnel allows blueworld’s customers to respond effectively to the shortage of skilled workers. By consistently focusing on the further development of these technical features and a user-friendly design, this potential will be further exploited in the future.
TraceMate as a digital platform enables more accurate and transparent documentation of waste management activities, which facilitates compliance with regulations and improves reporting to authorities and other stakeholders.
Further information about blueworld: https://www.blueworld-gmbh.de/